#284 Compelled by Love I’ve had some strong experiences lately, beyond my control, some of which I labeled as ‘shameful’ and ‘insulting’ because of being misunderstood and me assuming I was a failure. The lesson of Jesus and Simon the Cyrene inspires me to make the stand that I will be compelled not by people or circumstance, but by the love of Christ. “And they compel one Simon a Cyrenian, who passed by, coming out of the country, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to bear his cross.” Mark 15:21

It was a custom of the Romans to make condemned criminals bear their own cross. But Jesus was too weak to carry the cross-beam because of the ordeal he had been through since Gethsemane. He endured a night of mock trials and persecution. After being scourged, the Roman guards roughly placed a crown of thorns on in his head and repeatedly beat his head with a reed-staff. They spit at him. They kneeled and bowed before him in mock reverence. They tore the purple robe that had been placed from his bloodied back. “And they led him out to crucify him.” Mark 15:20 Jesus was exhausted and his strength was ebbing away even on the road to Calvary. “And they brought him to the place Golgotha, which is translated, Place of a Skull…” Mark 15:22 The word “brought” is Strong’s #5342 and means to bear or carry. Therefore they compelled a certain man to bear some of the weight of the cross because Jesus hardly had the strength to walk forward alone.

The Roman soldiers may have purposely chosen a stranger to carry the cross. Simon was from Egypt or North Africa, and his home was perhaps up to 800 miles away. The Roman soldiers may have avoided stirring an uproar among the people by choosing a Passover Pilgrim from far away who probably knew very little about Jesus. Simon was compelled or forced to carry this cross. Often when we are forced to do something, or when we feel forced, we rebel. Simon may have been insulted; he may have resented this intrusion on his Passover worship. And yet in reality he was giving service to the Passover Lamb, the Son of God.

This incident in Simon’s life may have become a pivotal, life changing event. The text suggests that there were transforming effects in the next generation. He is listed as having two sons, Alexander and Rufus. Paul mentions the name Rufus as a “choice man in the Lord” and Rufus’ mother is also mentioned. Romans 16:13There are precious lessons in this use of violence and force by the Roman soldiers in their treatment of Jesus and of Simon.Jesus was not compelled to walk to Calvary. It was a Cup he chose to drink of. John 18:11; Matthew 26:51-54What strength of conviction to see beyond the brutality and the cross to the will of the Father. “I gave my back to those who strike me, and my cheeks to those who pluck out the beard; I did not cover my face from humiliation and spitting. For the Lord GOD helps me, therefore I am not disgraced; therefore, I have set my face like flint, and I know that I shall not be ashamed.” Isaiah 50:6-7,8-9What strength of conviction to trust beyond the agony of the cross to the blessing of all. John 12:32-33He chose to walk to Calvary, compelled by love.

Simon was compelled and pressed into service with no consideration of personal choice. And yet what an honor it truly was to bear the cross beam behind the Savior of the world.

O Lord, I am compelled to bear many experiences, experiences I would never choose myself. But help me see beyond my perception that the experience invades my security and crosses my agenda. Help me see beyond my label of shame and failure. Help me see these experiences as what You have chosen for me to go through. I can resent them, or I can let you transform them into memorable moments of life because Christ is before me and I follow after him, wherever he leads. Whatever burden we bear, when we bear it in partnership with Christ it becomes a great honor.

May the love of Christ compel me to choose this cross, the HONOR of this cross.I will not be compelled by person or circumstance.I will be compelled by the love of Christ. 2 Corinthians 5:13-14

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